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PROFANITY: “The quality or state of being profane; the use of profane language.” PROFANE: “To treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt; to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use.” -Webster’s Dictionary

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“Last August (1998), Timothy Boomer fell out of his canoe in the Rifle River (Michigan) and began yelling words described as loud and vulgar. He was written a citation under an 1897 law prohibiting cursing in front of women and children. His lawyer has asked that the case be dismissed. “The issue is whether Boomer’s outburst should be protected under the First Amendment right to free speech, or whether such language should be treated as a crime.” -From AP Wire News Story Case of the Cussing Canoeist

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MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972 Revised through 1996 Legislative Session SEC.97-29-47. Profanity or drunkenness in public place. If any person shall profanely swear or curse, or use vulgar and indecent language, or be drunk in any public place, in the presence of two (2) or more persons, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or be imprisoned in the county jail not more than thirty (3) days or both.

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Washington's Order Against Profanity “The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.” (Signed,) George Washington

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The evolution of written profanity began roughly in the 16th Century, and continues to change with each generation that it sees. Profanity is recognized in many Shakespearean works, and has continually evolved into the profane language used today. Some cuss words have somehow maintained their original meanings throughout hundreds of years, while many others have completely changed meaning or simply fallen out of use.

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In Shakespeare’s time, religious and moral curses were more offensive than biological curses. Shakespeare pushed a lot of buttons in his day…which is one reason he was so phenomenally popular. Despite what they tell you, some people like having their buttons pushed. Consider the following examples: “God’s blessing on your beard.” (Love’s Labors Lost,II.I.203). This was a very rude curse because a man’s facial hair was a point of pride for him and “to play with someone’s beard” was to insult him.” “God’s body.” (1 Henry IV,II.I.26). Swearing by Christ’s body, or any part thereof, was off limits in civil discourse.

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“God’s Bod(y) kins, man.” (Hamlet, II.ii.529). The word bod(y) kin means “little body” or “dear body,” but adding the cute little sduffix does not make this curse any more acceptable. “By God’s (blest) mother!” (2 Henry VI, II.I). Swearing by the virgin was almost as rude as swearing by her son, especially when addressing a catholic cathedral as Gloucester did in 2 Henry VI, II.I. “Zounds”occurs 23 times in his plays. “Zounds” has evolved into somewhat of a silly and meaningless word, but was originally horribly offensive. This oath, short for “God’s wounds,” was extremely offensive because references to the wounds or blood of Christ were thought especially outrageous, as they touched directly on the crucifixion.

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“Gadzooks!” Not a particularly offensive word; but it was originally slang for “God’s hooks,” and was equally offensive to “zounds” as it also referred to the crucifixion. “Bloody” A Cockney expression referring tot he blood of Christ and the crucifixion; British serviceman’s equivalent to an American GI saying: “D--n!”

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“JODY CALLS”: Rhythmic cadence called out to keep marchers in step. “JODY”: Generic name for the guy back home who took the wife or girlfriend of a soldier at war. Q. When have/do “Jody Calls” become offensive?

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HOW NOT TO CONVERSE THE BRAGGER C’EST LA VIE! BOORS & BORES CONDESCENDERS THE CONTRADICTER CORRECTIONS “HOW OLD ARE YOU?” INSULTS THE INTERRUPTER

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“U -M-M-M, YOU KNOW?” “AS THE PRESIDENT WAS TELLING ME THE OTHER DAY…..” “AndAfterThatThenWeWentOutToDinnerAndAShow” THE SECRET-TELLER THE SENTENCE-FINISHER SNOOPS THE STORY-SNATCHER “IT TOOK WEEKS FOR THE BLEEDING TO STOP……” THE WANDERING EYE

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HOW TO PREVENT PROFANITY IN THE WORKPLACE FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS. PUT PROFANITY ON EVERY AGENDA UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. SPEAK PRIVATELY WITH THE WORST OFFENDERS. HAVE THEM STATE WHAT THEY FEEL ABOUT THE USE OF PROFANITY; DEVELOP A PLAN TO REDUCE INCIDENCES. SUPERVISORS SET THE EXAMPLE. GET A “CUSS JAR” AND PUT IT IN A PROMINENT SPOT; EVERY OFFENSE GETS A FINE…SAY A DIME OR QUARTER; AS IMPROVEMENT BEGINS, RAISE THE FINE. DONATE PROCEEDS TO A WORTHY CAUSE.

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